Digging for Britain

In this episode, Alice Roberts investigates Viking‑era excavations, focusing on evidence of the first Norse settlers in the Outer Hebrides. She also examines gold artefacts uncovered in York, shedding light on the region’s early medieval connections through detailed fieldwork at these sites.

Invaders is a television programme presented as an episode that takes viewers on a journey into the past. Hosted by archaeologist Alice Roberts, the show blends on‑site investigation with historical context, giving a clear picture of how early peoples left their mark on landscape. The format combines fieldwork and expert commentary, letting the audience follow the investigative process. In this episode, Roberts travels to a series of excavation sites that date back to the Viking Age. She examines the physical traces left by the first Norse settlers, assessing everything from structural remains to artefacts that hint at how these early communities lived and interacted with their surroundings. She also evaluates settlement patterns alongside the material finds, building a picture of daily life in that period. One of the focal points is the Outer Hebrides, where the team looks for evidence of the initial Norse arrival. By analysing stonework, burial sites and other material clues, they aim to pinpoint when and how these islanders first established themselves in the remote western isles. The rugged terrain of the Hebrides adds context for understanding the settlement strategies employed by these early Vikings. The investigation also turns to York, where a collection of gold pieces has been uncovered. Roberts studies these finds to understand their origins, craftsmanship and the role they played in the broader Viking trade networks, shedding light on the wealth and connections of the period. The presence of such gold illustrates the economic reach that Viking‑controlled York enjoyed during its height.